Our first Auntie

In Laie, everyone older than you is your Auntie. It comes in handy when you don't know someone's name . . . you just say, "Hello, Auntie," and give them a kiss on the cheek. So the term is general, but then there are some people who really earn the title and they are EVERYONE'S Auntie. One of these Aunties adopted us when we first moved in. Auntie Judy. She helped in the library at church, and after church, all the kids would go visit her in the library and she would give them each a piece of candy. Except for our kids. For our kids, she secretly saved a whole bag for each. Every Sunday was like its own Halloween with her. And it seemed like she was always waiting to see us. She became our first Auntie with her kisses on the cheeks, her tickles and treats for the kids, and her ready laugh. And when Charlie was born, she would come looking for him every week to hold him. He didn't stay in his car seat at church--everyone knew he was Auntie Judy's baby Sunday mornings. Looking back on it, she made us feel so welcome here in Laie. And she had no reason to. Why would someone from Laie, born and raised in the same house on the same family land all her life connect herself to a transient professor family? But she made such a difference to us and our kids.

We went to visit Aunty Judy last night. We almost didn't recognize her . . . until she smiled. She has been sick with cancer for the past few months and has lost a lot of weight, but she was still ready to laugh. And our kids did not leave until they had each had a popsicle, a doughnut, and a soda. And lots of hugs from our first Auntie. When I think back on our introduction to the "spirit of Aloha," I think I will see Aunty Judy's smile in my mind. Mahalos!